—The transfer of the Indians to the War Department has not been accomplished. The whole matter has been referred to a joint committee, consisting of three members of the Senate and five members of the House, to investigate and report next January upon the expediency of such a transfer.
—The Advance says: “If the report shall be in its favor, the transfer will be because the religious press and the friends of the peace policy neglect their duty. It is stated that a majority of the House branch of the Commission is opposed to the change.”
—The Christian Union offers this suggestion: “The various missionary bodies ought now to confer with each other, agree, if possible, on the policy to be pursued toward the Indians, and then send to Washington a delegation of the ablest men of the respective denominations to urge its adoption. The fact that Secretary Schurz is out of favor with Congress, is a poor reason for shifting the Indians from his department, and we have yet to see any better one assigned. The simple question is: How can the Indian tribes be most easily civilized and Christianized, and so brought into assimilation with Americans? And that is a question on which the churches of America ought to have something to say.”
—The Independent gives its testimony thus: “It is entirely clear to our minds that the peace policy adopted in 1869, for which great credit is due to General Grant, and which, not without some imperfections, has been pursued ever since, is the best that ever was adopted in this country, and in its principles and purpose the only one that ever should be adopted. The statistics show that the condition of the Indians, in all the elements that go to make up the idea of civilization, has immensely improved within the last ten years, under the benign influence of this policy. Our idea on this subject is, that it is best to let well enough alone, especially since we cannot make it better. Let us do right by the Indian for the present, observing our treaties with him, dealing justly by him, and fighting him only when compelled to do so by a stern necessity, and then trust the providence of God for the future.”
THE FREEDMEN.
VIRGINIA.
Religious Interest at Hampton—Missionary Zeal.
REV. RICHARD TOLMAN, HAMPTON.